Deuteronomy as Israel’s Covenant Treaty: The Shema & Divine Concil (Come Follow Me)

In this episode of Line Upon Line: Hebrew Bible Study for Latter-day Saints, we explore the book of Deuteronomy through the lens of Ancient Near Eastern covenant theology, divine council traditions, and the Hebrew text itself. Together, we examine how Deuteronomy functions as a covenant renewal document and suzerain-vassal treaty between Yahweh and Israel. Throughout the episode, we discuss how the book repeatedly calls upon Israel to remember, hear, obey, and remain faithful to the commandments and covenants of Yahweh in order to inherit and remain in the promised land. We closely analyze key passages such as Deuteronomy 4:19–20, 5:1–7, 6:4, and 32:7–9, discussing: • The Divine Council worldview in ancient Israel • The covenantal background of the Shema (“Hear O Israel”) • Why Deuteronomy 6:4 is not primarily about philosophical monotheism • Henotheism and monolatry in the Hebrew Bible • The “sons of God” reading preserved in the earliest manuscripts of Deuteronomy 32 • The distinction between Elyon (“Most High”) and Yahweh in Deuteronomy 32:8–9 • Ancient Near Eastern inheritance and allotment language in covenant treaties • How Deuteronomy’s worldview informs the rest of the Hebrew Bible and even the New Testament Along the way, we reference scholarship from Nathan Macdonald, Michael Heiser, Paula Fredriksen, David Burnett, Joel Burnett, Chrissy Hansen, and others as we situate Deuteronomy within its ancient Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern context. Whether you are interested in Biblical Hebrew, LDS theology, the Divine Council, temple theology, or the historical context of the Bible, this episode aims to help modern readers approach Deuteronomy the way an ancient Israelite audience may have understood it. 📖 Series: Line Upon Line: Hebrew Bible Study for Latter-day Saints 🔔 Subscribe for discussions on Biblical Hebrew, Ancient Israelite religion, temple theology, and Ancient Near Eastern context. My Video on the Shema (Deut. 6:4)    • The Shema Was Never About One God!?   Video Chapters: 00:04:57 What is Deuteronomy? 00:10:35 Preamble to The Ten Commandments 01:01:30 The LORD is ONE? (Shema) 01:30:12 The Hosts of Heaven 01:43:16 The Divine Council/Sons of God (Deut. 32)